NAHL announces Bauer Hockey Stars of the Week
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) today announced the Divisional Stars of the Week presented by Bauer Hockey for the week ending April 25, 2021. The Divisional Stars of the Week is a weekly feature during the 2020-21 regular season that honors the top performing players in each of the four NAHL divisions. Only players that are nominated by their respective teams are considered for the Divisional Players of the Week award.
Watch: Highlights for the NAHL Stars of the Week for April 19-25
Central Division Star of the Week: Ryan O’Neill, Forward, St. Cloud Norsemen
St. Cloud Norsemen forward Ryan O’Neill, 20, helped his club extend their winning streak with three wins this past week to stay in the thick of the playoff race. The 5’10/165 lbs. native of Roseville, MN, racked up six points in the three wins, which included a consistent effort of two points in each game. On Thursday, O’Neill had two assists in a 4-2 road win against the Minnesota Wilderness. On Friday, he scored two goals, including the game-winner in a 5-2 home win over the Wilderness. On Saturday, O’Neill had a goal and an assist in a 6-3 road win in Austin. For the season, O’Neill is currently 2nd in team scoring with 32 points in 43 games played thus far. “Ryan has really been playing well and been a big part of our offense,” said Norsemen head coach Corey Millen.
2nd Star: Jordan Randall, F, Aberdeen Wings
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Josh Bohlin, F, Minnesota Wilderness – Grant Docter, D, Minnesota Wilderness – Paxton Geisel, G, St. Cloud Norsemen – Jake Goldowski, F, Aberdeen Wings – Travis Shoudy, D, Austin Bruins
East Division Star of the Week: Jake LaRusso, Forward, New Jersey Titans
Colorado College recruit and New Jersey Titans forward Jake LaRusso, 19, had a big weekend as the Titans exploded for 14 goals in a two-game home sweep of the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks. The 5’11/180 lbs. native of Colts Neck, NJ, had six points in the two wins, which included two goals and four assists. On Friday, LaRusso had a goal and two assists in a 5-1 win. On Saturday, he again had a goal and two assists in a 9-2 win. For the season, LaRusso is currently tied for the team scoring lead with 41 points in 47 games played so far this season. “Jake has continued his strong play for us as of late. Jake has really come along and rounded out his game offensively this year. He is a huge part of our forward group and his strong play has really helped our team throughout the year. We look forward to taking even another step now as we head towards the Robertson Cup Playoffs,” said Titans head coach Craig Doremus.
2nd Star: Jake Dunlap, F, Northeast Generals
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Sam Evola, G, Johnstown Tomahawks – Dylan Finlay, D, Maryland Black Bears – Isaiah Fox, F, Maine Nordiques – Matt Iasenza, F, New Jersey Titans – Paul Minnehan, F, Northeast Generals – Stefan Owens, F, Maine Nordiques – Philip Tornqvist, D, Maryland Black Bears
Midwest Division Star of the Week: Cade Destefani, Forward, Janesville Jets
Thanks to taking five of a possible six points in a weekend road series in Fairbanks, the Janesville Jets widened their lead atop of the Midwest Division. Forward and Western Michigan University recruit Cade Destefani, 19, was the offensive catalyst for his club in the series. The 6’2/185 lbs. native of Bedford, NH, had six points, including four goals, in the three-game set. On Thursday, Destefani had a goal and an assist in a 5-3 win. On Friday, he had two goals and an assist in a 5-4 overtime loss. On Saturday, he scored the overtime-winner in a 4-3 win. For the season Destefani leads the Jets in scoring with 41 points in 37 games played to date. “Fairbanks is a hard team to play against and even harder up in Alaska. It’s not an easy task to give maximum effort up here for nine periods in three days. Cade showed a lot of resolve and resilience this weekend being an offensive threat in all three games. He worked hard all weekend for his chances, he was checked closely and took some physical punishment, but again he worked through it and found a way to deliver. It was pretty impressive to watch. We are pumped for Cade being recognized for his efforts,” said Jets head coach Parker Burgess.
2nd Star: Lucas Wahlin, F, Kenai River Brown Bears
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Andy Beran, G, Minnesota Magicians – Jacob Conrad, D, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Liam Hansson, F, Chippewa Steel – Luc Laylin, F, Minnesota Magicians – Ty Naaykens, F, Fairbanks Ice Dogs – Ryan Reid, D, Kenai River Brown Bears – Riley Sims, G, Janesville Jets
South Division Star of the Week: Arseni Sergeyev, Goaltender, Shreveport Mudbugs
The Shreveport Mudbugs widened their lead atop the South Division thanks to a weekend home sweep of the Amarillo Bulls. Mudbugs goaltender Arseni Sergeyev, 18, started and won both games, stopping 65 of 68 shots in the process. On Friday, the 6’3/190 lbs. native of Yaroslavl, Russia, made 30 saves and stopped three of four shooters in a 2-1 shootout win. On Saturday, he made 35 saves in a 4-2 win. For the season, Sergeyev ranks 2nd in the NAHL in both goals against average (1.97) and save percentage (.943). “With very limited practice time leading up to the Amarillo weekend, Arseni did a great job keeping us in the game in the 1st period and ultimately made the timely saves in the shootout to help us get back in the win column. I thought he came out poised and confident Saturday night and it’s a good thing as I thought we had to rely on him a little too much. He was a huge part of us being able to grab four huge points on the weekend,” said Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell.
2nd Star: Cooper Black, G, Odessa Jackalopes
Honorable Mention (alphabetical): Tyler German, F, Odessa Jackalopes – Dawson Sciarrino, F, Shreveport Mudbugs – Brady Smith, D, Lone Star Brahmas – Dylan Smith, F, Lone Star Brahmas
